RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01754 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect: 1. His foreign service in the Philippines (administratively resolved) and Vietnam. 2. Award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) (administratively resolved), the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His medals and foreign service for Vietnam and the Philippines are not reflected on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 22 Dec 61, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 6 Jan 66, he was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with four years of active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the request for foreign service credit for Vietnam indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. There is no documentation in the applicant’s record or provided in support of his request to indicate that he served in the Republic of Vietnam. They verified and confirmed the applicant’s foreign service at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines but not Vietnam. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the VSM and RVCM indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; have served on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for personnel who participated in actual combat operations. The RVCM is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, during the period 1 Mar 61 through 28 Mar 73, served for six months in South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) or the VSM during the period of service are considered to have contributed direct combat support the RVN Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. After a thorough review of the documentation provided, the applicant’s military personnel record, and with the assistance of the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), they were unable to verify award of the VSM or RVCM. However, the applicant’s entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was verified and his records will be administratively corrected to add the NDSM. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 29 Oct 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely. However, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. We note the Air Force OPR determined the applicant’s entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and his records will be corrected administratively. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01754 in Executive Session on 22 Jan 16, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01754 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Apr 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 18 May 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 6 Oct 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 15. 4